4 #2
“It’s good to be adventurous,” Tess counters. “And everything in that salad—the spring greens, the radishes, pansies, and nasturtiums—are edible.”
Aaron shudders. “Just because it’s edible doesn’t mean it’s tasty.”
“What about everyone else’s food?” Gideon asks.
“Delicious,” Sofia says.
I smile up at them. “The food is amazing and the decor is beautiful. Everyone’s talking about what an incredible wedding this is.”
“Gideon organized most of it,” Kate says. “I just had to show up.”
Gideon shrugs modestly. “The wedding coordinator did all the heavy lifting.”
Sofia rests her chin in her hand. “What are your honeymoon plans?”
“Gideon is surprising me,” Kate says. “The only hint he’ll give me is that it’s a place with rollercoasters.”
Everyone at the table laughs. We’re all aware of Kate’s inexplicable fondness for rollercoasters.
They linger for a few more minutes, then Gideon hooks his arm around Kate’s waist and they wander over to the next table to greet the guests there.
It doesn’t escape my attention that Farah is sitting at that table.
So is Joel. She’s staring fixedly at him, while he seems to be making a concerted effort to avoid eye contact with her.
“So, uh, why is Farah at the wedding?” I ask in what I hope is a casual tone.
“Farah? She cuts Kate and Lisset’s hair,” Tess says absently, taking pity on Aaron and poking at his salad with her fork. “Lisset invited her to the wedding and Kate couldn’t think of a way to uninvite her.”
I watch Joel get to his feet and give Kate a soft smile before kissing her briefly on the cheek.
He shakes Gideon’s hand and the two men exchange small talk.
Not looking to be left out, Farah stands too and hugs the bridal couple, then turns to Joel and wraps her arms around him. He stands stiffly in her embrace.
Under the table, my fingers twist together in my lap. “She’s a hugger,” I observe, for something to say.
Sofia looks over at their table with narrowed eyes. “Pythons are huggers. And look how well that turns out for the recipients.”
I glance at Sofia in surprise. “You don’t like Farah?”
“I’m not too fond of her, no.”
“Why not?”
“Since her divorce, she’s made it her mission to flirt with every man possessing a heartbeat,” she answers in a grim tone. “A few weeks ago, she got a little too friendly with Matt.”
Matt’s love for Sofia is unquestionable, and I’m sure he handled himself just fine. But Sofia’s grip on her knife is worrying. Evidently, Aaron feels the same because he reaches over and carefully removes it from her grasp.
“When was her divorce?” I ask.
“Six months ago.”
I feel suddenly sorry for her. I can’t imagine how shaken up her world is right now.
“Looks like she’s got her sights set on Joel,” Tess points out. “He better hope there’s no jealous ex-husband hanging around.”
Aaron makes a scoffing noise. “Don’t worry about Joel. He can hold his own.”
My interest is piqued. “What makes you say that?”
“For one, he trains at the gym like someone obsessed.”
Like synchronized meerkats, the three of us straighten and swivel our heads toward Aaron. His eyes go wide. “I’m feeling a little outnumbered here,” he mutters.
“Details,” Tess demands.
“There’s not much to say,” he hedges.
Tess smiles sweetly at him. “Honey, you know how much I adore my coffee?”
Aaron offers a cautious nod. “Uh-huh.”
“Well, I feel the same way about gossip. Now spill.”
He’s quiet for a beat, and then he says, “It’s just...when I bump into Joel at gym, he trains like it’s personal, like he’s waging war against someone or trying to exorcise something.”
“Maybe he’s just addicted to the endorphin hit that exercise gives him?” Sofia suggests.
“Maybe,” Aaron says, but I glimpse the doubt in his face. He shifts uncomfortably, as though regretting he said anything. “But maybe my imagination is running away with me.”
I know my imagination is currently running riot. All I’m picturing is Joel working out, his shirt molded to his chest, veins straining, muscles bulging. Hastily, I reach for my water glass and take a long swallow of cool water.
“Have you tried talking to him?” Tess asks.
Aaron rears back, aghast. “Why would I do that?”
“You know, to see if he’s okay.”
“Gym isn’t a therapy session. I’m there to work out.”
Tess and Sofia exchange a look. They only recently joined the gym and I’m pretty sure their favorite workout is ordering coffee at the café there and catching up on gossip.
I’m still mulling over Aaron’s words when Gideon gets to his feet to give his speech. His voice is steady at first as he talks about his love for Kate, but when he mentions the future he can’t wait to share with her, the emotion catches up to him and his voice cracks.
I hold my breath as he looks down, taking a moment to get himself under control. And then Lisset jumps up from her chair and stands next to him. Kate’s daughter slips her small hand into his, steadying him. He smiles at her, his face full of love.
When he lifts his head again to continue, stronger now, I realize I’m not the only one blinking back tears.
Listening to the rest of the speeches, I find myself idly playing with the spaghetti strap of my dress and remembering Joel’s hands touching this very spot. I’ve purposefully avoided looking his way, but now my eyes are pulled in his direction.
Heat tugs low in my belly when I realize he’s watching me steadily, making no effort to hide it.
The clink of a fork against a wineglass draws my attention.
“It’s time for the first dance,” Kate announces as she stands next to Gideon, her gaze sweeping across the guests. “But I want to do something a little different. And because I’m the bride, I can get away with it.”
Laughter ripples through the room. She’s right. On this day, the bride is the queen.
“Gideon and I won’t be the only ones on the dance floor for the first dance,” Kate continues. “We want to invite two other people to join us.”
Oh, how sweet. I admire Kate for breaking with tradition in such a cute way.
I’m smiling along with everyone else.
Until Kate’s gaze lands directly on me, an enigmatic smile sliding across her face.
A feeling of trepidation climbs up my spine.
All I’m thinking is, a big fat no to whatever she’s planning in that beautiful head of hers.
And then she says, “I’d like Kenzie and Joel to join us on the dance floor.”